Changes to Crown & Anchor

[astera]

There are many more Diamonds onboard Oasis and Allure than there are suite guests. Removing the suite guests doesn't come close to making up for the additional Diamonds.

 

Suite guests should get priority in terms of a nice lounge though, right? A lot of airlines are similar, where the best lounge can never be accessed via any accumulation of points/miles/loyalty and you can only enter if you are actually flying in biz/first.

 

There are 18 bars on board for overflow and loaded coupon use till the early seating crowd clears out

 

That ultimately is the KEY to solving the issue as there will be more and more Ds, and overcrowding will ensue unless they take the most important perk - which I assume is the availability of free drinks from 4:30-8) - and just allow those eligible to get those drinks anywhere else on the ship. No harm done. Better for the lounge, better for us passengers too.

[sea shepherd]

Rccl knows there is a easy fix . First raise the points of each level. Second diamond members don't get a lounge you get your 3 drinks at a bar. That will take the load off the lounges. I know diamonds don't want to hear that but it's to easy to hit diamond. Let's see what the changes on May 1 2016 brings.

[Ourusualbeach]

Rccl knows there is a easy fix . First raise the points of each level. Second diamond members don't get a lounge you get your 3 drinks at a bar. That will take the load off the lounges. I know diamonds don't want to hear that but it's to easy to hit diamond. Let's see what the changes on May 1 2016 brings.

 

Not sure what additional changes you will see on May 1. The lounges on Oasis and Allure have already been changed into one lounge for suite guests and Pinnacles and the other lounge for Pinnacle, D+ and D members.

 

May 1 is the date for the rollout of the other suite perks that have nothing to do with the lounges.

Edited February 13, 2016 by Ourusualbeach

[sea shepherd]

There is C&A changes coming in May. That's all I can say

[Ourusualbeach]

There is C&A changes coming in May. That's all I can say

 

Ok, just that we've been hearing that same old rhetoric for several years now.

[Cruisingthesuitelife]

There is C&A changes coming in May. That's all I can say

If you know something post it, don't just say that, what's the point?

[DEEDIA]

All I hear is why should we mix with lowly Diamond Members, as it is easy to reach Diamond status. As I see it most of these remarks are coming from members from across the Pond. Try sailing from the UK we have a couple of Ports where the prices are more than you pay, to expand Itineraries we have to fly which we have done many times, and this costs £££££s not $$$$$. So before you say it is easy again think we do not have a RCI credit card for points, we do not get OBC freely given, we do not catch Planes and Ships like Taxis we PAY and PAY dearly, it is hard work for the average working Joe Blogs to gain this status. So you all run round with your heads up your asses wearing your PINS to show your better. Congratulations on your Milestones but do it the Hard Way and you wouldn't be so Pompous. :D:D:D

[sea shepherd]

Pompous. What are you talking about? I don't have a royal credit card. I'm an average working person. I have sailed out of the UK and I got raped with your exchange I was paying 2 to 1. You can be a diamond member in 3 cruises. If you do a B2B2B 2 10 days and 1 8 day standard Baltimore run. Go by your self take a JS that's 84 points your a diamond member. That's seems easy to me.

[island lady]

On Serenade right now. We have almost 300 Ds, over 200 D+, and 40 Pinnacles on this little ship. The DL has overflow every night through the connecting door into the VCL with a crew member checking sea pass cards at the main entrance to get into the totally reserved "private event" VCL. And it is still tough to find a seat.

 

I use the computer in the CL (there is none in the DL) around 3:30 pm. Every day at that time I observe the same large group of Pinnacles that actually come in between 3:30 and 4:00 to seat themselves in a captured favorite corner. Happy hour does not start until 4:30. :eek: Many D's coming into the VCL around 4 pm to get seats by the window.

 

Needless to say it is quite overcrowded. DH and I wait and come in at "magic hour" just after 5:30 pm when first seating starts in the MDR. Lots of empty seats available then. ;)

[Trekker954]

Just curious as to why people think of it this way? I've been in both and see nothing different from one to the other. Each time they have offered the exact same service as far as I could tell, what am I missing that is different?

 

The concierges in the CL typically go out of their way to assist their guests (i.e. d+) moreso than the D concierge. Concierge (CL) would actually escort D+ off the ship or front of the line if needing to disembark early (for a flight). Due to the smaller number of guests to attend to, the CL Concierge was just able to have the time to mingle more and answer any questions, book dinners, etc. I've had nothing but long lines in the Diamond lounge waiting for the D concierge or the bartenders. They are overworked and it shows, they do not have the time or patience to deal with the number of Diamond guests. But I put in a lot of time and money to reach D+ for the special attention and perks. I feel cheated.

 

So yes, I'm very disappointed that D+ are being devalued because for me, I do see a big difference when it comes to the lounge benefits.

[minn0315]

I've stated this before: RCI rewards those that pay more dollars for their current cruise than those who may have accumulated C&A points over past years by staying in the less expensive or interior cabins.

 

Even if you are D or D+, what have you done for RCI recently? Suite guests are paying dearly for a Suites Lounge and access to Coastal Kitchen with their gold colored Seapass cards.

 

If you want more exclusive perks and less crowded lounges, then pay for them by booking Grand Suites and above.

[MattInFLL]

I've stated this before: RCI rewards those that pay more dollars for their current cruise than those who may have accumulated C&A points over past years by staying in the less expensive or interior cabins.

 

Even if you are D or D+, what have you done for RCI recently? Suite guests are paying dearly for a Suites Lounge and access to Coastal Kitchen with their gold colored Seapass cards.

 

If you want more exclusive perks and less crowded lounges, then pay for them by booking Grand Suites and above.

 

That isn't making sense to me.

 

I know what it cost me to go from D to D+ and it was way more than the price of a GS, OS, or even RS... and many times I was in a JS, so I wasn't exactly scrimping.

 

I think if you book a top suite, you should absolutely get perks, but I have certainly paid a lot of money for my perks, too. And no brand can really put a price on the loyalty of its customers.

 

But at the end of the day, on many ships, the lounges are just getting too crowded, and so they are bound to do something about it - and that something is not going to be building bigger or more lounges.

[LMaxwell]

 

But at the end of the day, on many ships, the lounges are just getting too crowded, and so they are bound to do something about it - and that something is not going to be building bigger or more lounges.

 

Probably an accurate assessment. But I don't think they are going to move the goal posts on points, or demote anyone either. I'm Diamond. My wife is Diamond. If they suddenly raised the bar to get to Diamond to, say, 125 points and demoted people below it that would be a very bad move, especially with so many new Diamonds over the past few years.

[IsanTom]

I'm a C+! Any changes in our status?

[yogimax]

On Serenade right now. We have almost 300 Ds, over 200 D+, and 40 Pinnacles on this little ship.

 

Serenade of the Seas has a maximum passenger capacity of 2490.

 

Please explain how over 20% are either D or D+

 

This would be unheard of.

 

We were recently on Independence, a much lager ship, and there were only about 40 D+. Your numbers don't add up.

[LMaxwell]

 

Please explain how over 20% are either D or D+

 

 

 

 

Over 20% of those that booked are either D or D+.

 

Occam's razor.

[setsail]

 

Please explain how over 20% are either D or D+

 

This would be unheard of.

 

.

 

So you have been on every rci cruise:rolleyes:

 

I was on a cruise with Ilady I believe back in 13, a 11 day on legend. There was between 400 and 500 d,+,pc

[sheba2008]

Rccl knows there is a easy fix . First raise the points of each level. Second diamond members don't get a lounge you get your 3 drinks at a bar. That will take the load off the lounges. I know diamonds don't want to hear that but it's to easy to hit diamond. Let's see what the changes on May 1 2016 brings.

 

Whooow that is not nice, what would you feel when RCCl say no lounge for D+ only for pinnacle members and suites?

[sheba2008]

All I hear is why should we mix with lowly Diamond Members, as it is easy to reach Diamond status. As I see it most of these remarks are coming from members from across the Pond. Try sailing from the UK we have a couple of Ports where the prices are more than you pay, to expand Itineraries we have to fly which we have done many times, and this costs £££££s not $$$$$. So before you say it is easy again think we do not have a RCI credit card for points, we do not get OBC freely given, we do not catch Planes and Ships like Taxis we PAY and PAY dearly, it is hard work for the average working Joe Blogs to gain this status. So you all run round with your heads up your asses wearing your PINS to show your better. Congratulations on your Milestones but do it the Hard Way and you wouldn't be so Pompous. :D:D:D

 

Well said, I travel from Belgium to USA and cost lots of money to board ships in the USA.

[MrsCandyMan]

The question is the current plans to extend and formalize the already given but not writen down suite perks for the top suites on the four newest ships come with a price. The resolution to this problem is too many people currently have access to a space designed for the suite's plus 20%. Too offer suites these perks plus the private resturant they need to change this. When we where on the oasis last summer we had the royal suite the resturant perks that they will start to offer officially in May. where already offering to get people to pay for these pricey rooms. The private suite only resturant also allows pinnical which can be a issue when on a cruise of 5 thousand plus there are 50 pinnacles. This caused a issue of seating in the resturant only at dinners. They will need to offer more with suites if they are to continue being competitive with the other lines.

My guess is the will not change any current perks but will up the pinnacle to 1000 nites. Plus I am sure they will grandfather all current c/a members.

I am 200 plus nite shy of 700 so I guess i will have to wait for a bit.

[Flamingo33]

To say that diamond is easy to get to is silly. I am about to hit diamond after my next cruise in march and I am super excited. Been loyal to this line since I have been able to make my own vacation decicions. If you think there are too many people taking advantage of the benefits of being a frequent cruiser the Royal is doing its job.

[MrsCandyMan]

I believe they should continue offering all perks. However the private resturant and suite lounges cannot hold more people. With offering access to pinnacles this can present a problem if there continues to be limited room. I don't know what they plan on doing with the smaller ships. they will have difficulty offering all of the enhanced perks across the line.

[Miamia65]

I hope that RCI reads this thread......

 

In Australia and New Zealand we don't have the problem of over-crowding in the DL and CL. We haven't had the benefit of the Royal ships for as long as the US and cruising has only become really popular in the last few years. The statistics are rising but there are not as many diamond and above C&A members here in Australia. Royal only comes here for half of the year - Carnival and P&O have a few ships all year round so RCI is missing out and they are becoming very popular. When they first arrived in I think 2008 they couldn't fill the ships.

 

SO, changing the C&A levels worldwide would create unnecessary negative press for RCI. On a recent cruise on Explorer there were 800 C&A members out of the 3200 passengers and only a handful were above Diamond level, of which 1 was pinnacle.

 

Suite guests and diamond and above C&A members were given access to both lounges, mainly because the CL is on deck 9 in the middle of nowhere with NO windows and very daggy furniture despite Explorer's recent $100m revitalisation.

[Firefighterhoop]

Serenade of the Seas has a maximum passenger capacity of 2490.

 

Please explain how over 20% are either D or D+

 

This would be unheard of.

 

We were recently on Independence, a much lager ship, and there were only about 40 D+. Your numbers don't add up.

 

These numbers are actually quite common for longer cruises (Which Serenade is doing with the 10/11 night rotations). Last year on the Legend which did the itineraries that the Serenade is doing this year, the numbers were almost as high on one of the sailings I was on (and that was a much smaller ship)

 

Independence some weeks has a very low D, D+, PC count and some weeks very high. Sounds like you got a good week!

[yuvraj]

I enjoy the loyalty perks but I am not too troubled what I gain or lose. Many of the perks I never take advantage of anyway.

 

I actually like P&O loyalty scheme. The higher up you go, the bigger the discount - on all your on board purchases. Not saying it is better that Royal Caribbean but simpler IMO.

 

I also don't believe people should confuse loyalty perks with suite perks. The two should be different and complement one another. Plus it should be about the overall experience, not whether you get a free milk shake.